5 feelings you might have after roommate assignments

04Aug, 2017

Roommate assignments are rolling out and emotions are rolling along with them (brb, gotta go breathe into a paper bag for eternity).

Meeting new people is exciting but it can also be nerve-wracking. It’s important to keep your expectations realistic and your feelings in perspective. Whether you’re breaking out in hives or barely breaking a sweat, we’ve got advice to on how to handle each emotion as it comes and set yourself up for a great living experience.

#1: Nervous

Thought

I really want to get to know my roommate right now. Should I get in touch with them?

Advice

It’s completely normal to be nervous — your roommate probably has similar thoughts running through their head, too. There’s no rule-book on reaching out to your roommate before you get to campus. That being said, it’s okay to get in touch with them to introduce yourself. You could start out by asking what time they plan to move in or what they’re bringing for the room.

Keep in mind that some people are more comfortable communicating in person so don’t rush to judgment if their response is minimal. You’ll get to discover more about them when you get to campus.

#2: Excited

Thought

I can’t wait to meet my new best friend!!

Advice

It’s totally normal and great to be excited, especially if you click with your new roommate immediately. Get a feel for how open they want to be and move forward from there. Some people prefer to keep their living arrangement less personal, and that’s ok.

#3: Confused

Thought

What exactly do we have in common?

Advice

Sit on it for awhile and give them a chance. Our lifestyle questionnaire matches roommates based on living preferences, not hobbies or major.

Having a roommate who is different from you can make for an amazing experience and help you grow as a person. If you end up having trouble finding commonalities, talk to the RAs in your residence hall. They can help out by facilitating conversations.

#4: Worried

Thought

Is my roommate going to like me? I really want this to work out.

Advice

Making rash judgments based on a phone call, texts, or social snooping isn’t good for you or your roommate. You won’t really know them until you meet them face-to-face and spend time together. Until then, keep an open mind and be clear with them about expectations.

#5: Frustrated

Thought

This isn’t going well. Should I request a new roommate?

Advice

Wait until you’ve spent some time with them in-person to make up your mind. Setting clear boundaries can fix a lot of foreseeable issues. If you’re in conflict over deal-breaker issues, get advice from your RA. They’re here to help you sort through them and decide if a change is necessary.

Not sure what to talk about?

CSU Housing has included a list of important conversations to have with your roommate — consider starting there. Just scroll down to the “Roommate Agreements” section of their Policies & Procedures page.